Sore Body, but Full ♥️
I've been thinking about you. I just got back from a water mission trip in a tiny little village in the middle of the DR mountains and as exhausted as I am, I can't wait to do it again. I thought of you because it's been a while since my heart was so full. Every morning, even with little sleep, I woke up full of energy and purpose.
As the drops of sweat slipped down my face as I carefully climbed the muddy and slippery slopes, carrying water pipes up to the tank, it occurred to me how content I was. It had been a while since I felt like that.
When our kids leave home, it feels like we lost our footing. We literally ask ourselves - What now? - not sure what to do next now that our kids are grown and independent. Our role of mom morphs into somewhat of a life guide and we find ourselves looking for something that fills us with purpose again. At least I know that's how I felt.
Each night in the DR, I'd climb into my cot with aching bones and muscles in my body but with a huge smile on my face. Little by little, I'd feel the effects of what we were bringing to this little community. I started to see hope in their eyes and all because we decided to take some time and help.
On the second day there, I met a beautiful elderly woman by the name of Virginia that shared some life clarity. We stumbled upon her little makeshift house one day and she was so happy to give us a little tour of her humble home. She stopped at pictures hanging on the wall and shared short stories about each member and then led us into her kitchen. You see, her kitchen was not what most of us are used to with a stove, oven, refrigerator and counter space inside our home.
No. Hers was part of her backyard patio… dried cement formed into a makeshift stove to throw in logs for fire, discarded mismatched car seats joined together as a sofa, some planks of wood for dining table and yard sale finds for dining chairs. Her garden was full of beautiful plants and herbs.
“This”, she explained, “is where my family unites for meals and celebrations. We love to get together as often as we can. In fact, come and join us as we gather on our porch to enjoy the day and each other's company."
And that is exactly what we did. I sat with her family for quite some time, as they chatted excitedly about all kinds of things, especially the fresh water that they will now have access to without having to climb a mountain to reach.
I literally said aloud, this is what heaven must be like… surrounded by mountain beauty, the feel of the sun and a cool breeze on our face, friends, family, love, laughter and connection.
Tony Robbins talks alot about six basic human needs. But the last two are the secret to joy and fulfillment…
Certainty
Variety
Significance
Love/ Connection
Growth
Contribution
This water mission trip served as a reminder of that lesson that I hope to share with you. Please don’t think you need to go out and do a major water project in the DR to find joy and fulfillment. That’s just not possible nor realistic for many of you. But the need to learn/ grow and give back for positive impact IS crucial. So I’d like to challenge you to think of ways you can do that.
Maybe it’s finding a nearby soup kitchen to help serve the homeless once a month. Perhaps your church has opportunities like giving out gently used clothes or making PB&J for the needed. It could even be as simple as grabbing a large ziploc bag and filling it with hygiene products, water and snacks, leaving it in your car and sharing it with a homeless person you come across on your commute.
Trust me - Your heart can’t help but beat a little faster and fuller when you serve. Pay attention and duplicate those moments. Watch those small actions trickle unto other areas of your life and joy settling back in.
Click video to take a tour of Virgnia’s outdoor kitchen area.
